MISSION-CRITICAL DATA CENTERS

When a data center goes down, the financial fallout is immediate and severe. For large enterprises, the average cost of data center downtime can soar as high as $9,000 per minute / $540,000 per hour. Smaller organizations aren’t immune, either. Even if the per-minute rate is lower, the losses add up fast and can reach thousands of dollars in just a few minutes (Ketchum & Walton Co., “What Is the Cost of Data Center Downtime &  How to Prevent It,” 2025). The cause of many major outages? Surprisingly often, it’s water intrusion. That’s why keeping rainwater out of a data center is absolutely mission-critical!

On average, roofing materials account for 1% or less of total construction costs, yet the roof represents up to 70% of the building envelope.  A high-quality, watertight roof is the first line of defense against outages, safeguarding your assets, revenue, and uptime 24/7.

Choosing the right roofing manufacturer is as important as choosing the right server architecture - it can make or break your project. Sika’s Roofing & Waterproofing Team is the ideal partner for data centers, bringing proven performance, deep expertise, and a collaborative approach to every project. Over the past decade, Sika has played a leading role in countless data center builds worldwide, and over 500 in the U.S. alone. We understand that these are fast-track construction projects with zero tolerance for errors or delays. Our approach is to partner closely with owners, architects, and general contractors from day one, aligning our solutions to your specific needs and challenges.

EXPERIENCE IN MISSION-CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTS

With over 60 years of roofing & waterproofing experience and roofing systems on 500+ data centers nationwide.

END-TO-END COLLABORATION

Sika’s dedicated Data Center Roofing Team works with you every step of the way, from initial roof design through construction and post-installation support. We also provide a single point of contact who coordinates across all stakeholders (owners, designers, installers, inspectors), ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

LEADERSHIP & RELIABILITY

In the last 20+ years, Sika has demonstrated that we are an industry leader in data center construction by consistently delivering watertight roofing systems and building envelopes.   

We don’t just sell products; we solve problems side by side with your team, so that the roof is one thing you never have to worry about.

Data center construction isn’t typical construction. It’s a high-stakes, mission-critical endeavor fraught with unique challenges. Sika's dedicated mission-critical team not only recognizes these issues; we plan for them. Our philosophy is that a manufacturer shouldn't just drop off materials at the jobsite; we should deliver solutions that help the entire project overcome these hurdles. 

At Sika, we've spent years in the field and understand the pain points that owners, GCs, and architects grapple with. Here are the top challenges - and why they matter:

AGGRESSIVE SCHEDULES & RISK OF DELAYS

New data centers demand fast-track construction and speed-to-market. Schedules are compressed, leaving no room for weather hiccups or rework. A delay of even a few weeks can translate into deferred revenue and “idle workforce” costs.  In short, time literally equals money.

BUDGET PRESSURES & COST OVERRUNS 

Data centers are capital-intensive, and budgets are scrutinized. Every extra day under construction means higher labor and financing costs, eroding the project’s ROI. Stakeholders demand cost control and cost-saving solutions to keep investment cases viable.

PERMITTING & CODE COMPLIANCE

Before construction even begins, projects can snag on permits. Large data centers must navigate complex zoning, environmental, and fire-code approvals, sometimes in multiple jurisdictions. Such external dependencies require careful planning and look to manufacturers for help navigating product or system-specific codes and approvals.

LABOR SHORTAGES

Data centers demand many skilled trades for electrical, mechanical, roofing, and specialized installations. A shortage of skilled labor can create scheduling bottlenecks. Using products and systems that reduce labor required can be an important way to keep the project on track and on budget.

INTERIOR SUB-CONTRACTOR TIMELINE

Interior sub-contractors are limited in the work they can do while the building is open to the elements.  Early dry-in allows interior trades to begin sooner, accelerates the overall construction schedule, and reduces the risk of costly delays or rework due to weather exposure. Offering a watertight envelope from the earliest possible stage is essential to ensure long-term performance and operational continuity.

SCALABILITY & FUTURE-PROOFING NEEDS

Unlike a typical office, a data center is often designed for growth – today’s phase is just the beginning. Poor planning can lead to scalability limitations, where expanding later becomes prohibitively expensive or risky. Products and systems that allow for easy expansion without compromising the watertight integrity of the building are paramount.

SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION

With Data Centers being one of the fastest-growing building sectors in the U.S., the focus on sustainability and the carbon footprint of each building is at an all-time high.  To address these concerns, stakeholders are looking at construction products and systems to help reduce their environmental impact. 

SHORTER LEAD TIMES & RELIABLE SUPPLY

Sika leverages its global manufacturing network and logistics expertise to maximize product availability when and where you need it. With 400+ factories worldwide producing our key materials, we can ramp up supply for megaprojects and nimbly respond to schedule changes. The result is a reliable supply chain that keeps construction moving, minimizing crews waiting around because “the roofing shipment is delayed.” By delivering on time, Sika helps you hit your milestones and avoid costly downtime or resequencing work.

SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

Many of Sika’s roofing and waterproofing products and systems contribute directly to sustainability credits with LEED, Green Globes, and WELL. Light-colored Sarnafil® PVC membranes and Sikalastic® coatings have high solar reflectance, helping to reduce energy consumption and cooling costs.  Sarnafil membranes are third-party certified with a minimum of 10% recycled content verified by UL Environment. PVC membrane adhesives and Sikalastic coatings come in No VOC/Low VOC/ VOC Compliant formulations, and with Sarnafil’s Self-Adhered product family, you can install a fully adhered single-ply system with no VOCs or hazardous waste.  Lastly, Sika’s old roof “takeback” recycling program eliminates PVC roofs at the end of their life-cycle from being tossed into a landfill.

COMPLIANCE & CERTIFICATION SUPPORT

Sika has many systems that meet all major industry standards (FM, UL, Miami-Dade, ICC, etc.), which pave the way for approval locally and nationally. Our systems are tested for Fire, Wind, and Hail Resistance. They also exceed ASTM and ANSI/SPRI standards for durability and performance.

EXPERT TECHNICAL SUPPORT & SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT

Sika provides both local and corporate technical support. Our team works closely with your team to ensure code compliance and optimized detailing before construction begins.  During construction, your dedicated single-point-of-contact account representative is available to answer any questions, while a local technician can be on-site, training crews on proper techniques, inspecting critical installation stages, and troubleshooting any issues in real-time - catching potential problems early so they don’t affect the construction schedule.

PROVEN PERFORMANCE & LONG-TERM DURABILITY

Sika brings decades of proven performance in the field – for example, Sarnafil PVC membranes have 60+ years of real-world performance and a third-party verified service life of 35 years. Our systems offer excellent fire, wind, and hail resistance, backed by industry-leading warranties. You get a roof with minimal maintenance needs, low life-cycle costs, and the confidence that it will perform for decades to come. And because the roof can make up 60% or more of the entire building envelope, it is critical that you choose a system that not only meets but outperforms the stated warranty.

FASTER INSTALLATION & COMMISSIONING

Sika’s roofing solutions are designed for ease and speed of installation, like our Sarnafil Self-Adhered Membrane, which has a factory-applied adhesive – you simply “peel-and-stick” the sheets in place. Crews can cover large areas rapidly, even in cold weather (it’s rated for installs down to 20°F), which greatly accelerates dry-in time compared to traditional methods. Likewise, Sikalastic liquid-applied flashing products allow complex details (like pipe clusters, HVAC supports, unique transitions, etc.) to be waterproofed in one seamless application.

MODULAR & FAST-TRACK ROOFING SOLUTIONS

Sika strategically partners with key companies to speed up construction and reduce on-site labor. For example, our partnership with All Weather Insulated Panels and their OneDek® insulated roof deck system replaces the usual 5-6 layers of a roof assembly (steel deck, vapor barrier, multiple insulation layers, cover board, etc.) with one prefabricated panel and a single-ply membrane.  These composite panels come to the site ready to install, drastically cutting installation steps and trades needed. Combine that with our Sarnafil Self-Adhered Membrane and flashing rolls, which allow for a completely adhered system without the need for any liquid adhesive, and contractors can dry-in the building much faster – potentially saving weeks on the schedule.

Sika's Roofing & Waterproofing Technology Solutions - Brands You Can Trust

Whether it is a data center, university, school, or warehouse, Sika provides a complete portfolio of roofing and waterproofing technologies to meet any design or preference. The following products and systems effectively meet the demands of mission-critical facilities. Sika’s proven performance family of products includes:

Simply put, Sika is the premier roofing partner for data center construction – delivering the perfect blend of fast-track project execution, mission-critical reliability, proven performance, energy efficiency, local and national code compliance, and comprehensive support. No other roofing manufacturer offers the same level of experience, innovation, and commitment to keeping your data center watertight, resilient, and running 24/7. Our commitment is simple: provide no leaks, no downtime, and on-time delivery so you can achieve unwavering reliability & uptime, fast-track construction schedules, and maximum ROI.